Literary Bird ID Question (3 Viewers)

[Mrs. Bohon]

Note: I did not see this bird. I read its description in a book, but am very curious to know what species it is, so that I can describe its appearance and habits more correctly in a nature-themed children's book I am writing. I have searched the internet without success, and will be thankful for any help! The book is a sequel to White's Stuart Little, and here is the description:

"It was a pretty little hen-bird, brown, with a streak of yellow on her breast. The Littles didn't agree on what kind of bird she was.
'She's a wall-eyed vireo,' said George scientifically.
'I think she's more like a young wren,' said Mrs. Little."

The location of the story is New York.

Also, the bird says of herself, "I come from fields once tall with wheat, from pastures deep in fern and thistle; I come from vales of meadowsweet, and I love to whistle."

What is she?

Thanks for your help!

 

[fugl]

Eastern meadowlark?

 

[Peter C.]

What is she?

Thanks for your help!

Oh, Mrs. Bohon - the pangs of nostalgia!

Stuart Little was one of those books our teacher read to us, in maybe grade three or four - which was more decades ago than I care to think about! I have never forgotten about it, although I realize now that I really don't remember the details (except for the rescue from the garbage scow ... and the very ambiguous ending, where Stuart goes off in search of Margalo, and you never do find out what happens.... oh, and Stuart getting a drink of sarsaparilla served in ... a thimble? or was it his hat?)

Anyway: It is Margalo you're talking about, right? Surely there couldn't be two bird characters in this book! In any case, to finally get around to addressing your question - there are no wrens with "a streak of yellow" on the breast (well, not in the USA, at least), and there is no "Wall-eyed Vireo" anywhere on the planet. She's a Passerine spurious, an entirely make-believe species of bird - which only makes sense for a book about a sentient, talking mouse.

Happy days.

Peter C.

P.S. I believe the quotation cited is from Stuart Little itself, not a sequel - I don't believe White ever wrote a sequel (although I am aware that there was a sequel to the film version - humbug).

 

[dantheman]

P.S. I believe the quotation cited is from Stuart Little itself, not a sequel - I don't believe White ever wrote a sequel (although I am aware that there was a sequel to the film version - humbug).

Another little known fact.

 

[Mrs. Bohon]

Margalo, indeed

Yes, the bird is Margalo from Stuart Little. In my haste, I mushed together the book from which I was quoting and the book on which I am working! I was quoting from White's book. I am working on a sequel - more for the sake of dear little friends of mine who wanted to know what happened to Margalo than anything else. I am featuring various species of NE American birds in the story of Margalo's adventures, and trying to bring out their habits in 'personality' (i.e. the meek and poetic mourning dove, the boastful blue jay). Margalo will probably have to remain Passerine Spurious, as I can't imagine her as a meadowlark. She is just Margalo, I suppose.
Thank you for your help!

 

[Mrs. Bohon]

Ah, but wait - this photo came up in a search and looks like Margalo exactly - http://www.birdforum.net/opus/images/thumb/1/18/Rs2_copy.jpg/350px-Rs2_copy.jpg I can't read the script on the photo though.

 

[njlarsen]

That photo could be a slightly off color House Sparrow but is more likely to be a Yellow-throated Petronia, an African species.

Niels

 

[Peter C.]

Another little known fact.

There was a previous little-known fact?:h?:

 

[grebefeet9]

maybe margalo is a female yellow-headed blackbird. brown, yellow on breast, enjoys fields once tall with wheat (stubble fields). just an idea.

 

[ceasar]

From description alone, sex aside, how about a non-breeding male Bobolink? It has a buffy yellow breast, hangs around places like the ones described and has what could be described as a whistling warble.

Bob

 

[dantheman]

There was a previous little-known fact?:h?:

There have been loads ... not necessarily on this subject though.

Perhaps more of a 'Little' known fact ...

 

[David Norgate]

Ah, but wait - this photo came up in a search and looks like Margalo exactly - http://www.birdforum.net/opus/images/thumb/1/18/Rs2_copy.jpg/350px-Rs2_copy.jpg I can't read the script on the photo though.

This looks like a Rock Sparrow to me

 

[Peter C.]

Perhaps more of a 'Little' known fact ...

Ohhhhh.... *smacks self in head*